Eco-lodge gets green light from court

Plans for an eco-tourism project in the Highlands appeared to be back on track after a judge lifted a court order granted to a millionaire neighbour.

Escape Lodge Ltd has secured planning permission from Highland Council for an eco-lodge and thatched houses to provide 20 guests with "immersion in nature" in Dundonnell Glen, near Ullapool.

The plans were opposed by the Eilean Darach Estate - formerly owned by Nicholas Crawford, of Jersey - and by lyricist Sir Tim Rice, who owns another estate nearby. Mr Crawford raised an action in the Court of Session in Edinburgh, suggesting that parts of his estate could suffer from surface water flooding.

He was granted an interim interdict in May to stop Becky Thomson, the businesswoman behind Escape Lodge, from implementing the planning permission in a manner which adversely affected his property. Yesterday, Lady Smith lifted the interim interdict.